Method of and apparatus for feeding glass



June '29 1926. O.'A. BRIDGES METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING GLASS Filed NOV, 25, 1918 A 2 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES INVENTOR W TY I I omwcdm I June 29 0. A. BRIDGES METHOD OF.AND AP1 =ARATU S FOR FEEDING GLASS Filed Nov- 25, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE-3J7.

Eh a WITNESSES W a" Patented June 29, 1926.

UNITED STATES OBVILLE ATBRIDGES, OF ZANESVILLE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSTGNMENTS,

TO HARTFORD-EMPIRE COMPANY, T1011 OF DELAWARE.

OF HARTFORD, COKNECTICUT, A CORPORA- uncrnon or AND Hummus ronjnamne GLASS.

Application filed November 25, 1918. Serial No. 264,015.

This invention relates to methods of feeding molten glass and more particularly to methods for feeding uniform batches or quotas of molten glass by gravity through a flow orifice located in the bottom of a glass furnace tank, extension or the like.

' An object-of this invention is to so control the effective area of the gravity flow orifice that-uniform quotas free from streaks or blisters and of the desired contour or shape are delivered.

Another ob'ect is to provide a method whereby the ow through the orifice is so retarded by a punty which is caused to pass through the orifice and enter the dependingmass from above that said mass is transferred to the purity and sustained by it until severed.

,A further object is to provide a method whereby the quotas delivered by gravity and transferred to the punty are suspended by the punty until they stretch and assume the desired contour.

[A further object is to provide a method whereby use is made of the fact that a layer of molten glass upon exposure to the air; congeals or increases its viscosity to seal. theflow orifice at the proper time during the upward movements of the punty.

Another object is tov provide a method whereby a severing neck of redu ed cross section is formed at the upper en of each quota delivered by gravity through a flow orifice.

A stillfurther object is to provide a methodwhereby the bit of glass remaining on the nose of the purity after each'quota has been severed therefrom is thoroughly incorporated in the molten glass forming the succeeding quota.

These, as well; as other objects which will readily appear to those skilled in this particular art, I attain by means described in the specification and diagrammatically presented in the drawings accompanying and forming a vpart of this application.

'In the drawings, throughout which simi-. larelements are denoted by like characters,

Fig. 1 somewhat diagrammatically illustrates-a furnace extension in sectional ele-' vation with a bath of molten glass therein and flowing therefrom through the discharge or fiow orifice, and with the puntyment.

the orifice the continuity of the flow from i the reduced orifice to thebody of glass is interrupted or checked and the function of.

suspending, the quota of glass is' assumed by the plunger. This transfer occurs just prior to the upward movement of the plunger and the operation of the shears (which in this view are shown in inoperative position) to sever the quota from the plunger.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross section diagrammatically illustrating the punty nosed plunger in its initial upward movement just as the batch or quota of glass of predetermined quantity delivered and transferred to the lunger has been severed by the shears. The quota is shown dropping awa from the shears and the glass bit adhering to the nose of the plunger is shown carried upwardly thereon from the shears. The dotted lines indicate the contracted neck formation assumed b the quota onbatch depending from the p unger just PIIOI. to its severance therefrom by the shears.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view diagrammatically illustrating the punty on 1t s return movement at the point where the lntof lass left thereon has. not been ent rely a sorbed or incorporated intothe body of'molten glass in the outlet o' ifice.

F gs. 5 and 6 are views si bu't's'how the nut at higher points in its upward trave an these views dotted lines illustrate the incorporation of the bit in the mass flowing orifice, and, H

Fig. 7 is a more or less diagrammatic plan view of the furnace extension with the top wall thereof removed.

It will understood thatkthis invention is not confined to any particular type of receptacle for containing the lia thof -molten glass butmalyfpracticed with, any suitable receptac shaving a bottom'fiow orifice.

down the outlet ,ar'to Fig. 4'

' therefrom. The central portion of the floor these blocks .and the sion is provided with .Block 22 is provided formed of blocks 10 of material and between bottom member 8 an insulating lining 11 of asbestos .is provided. The sides of the extension are lined with suitable blocks 12 of refractory material and a curved block 13 lines the end of the extension. Between block 13 and the end wall 9 insulating material such as asbestos 14 is inter osed. A cover 15 of refractory materia rests on side blocks 12 and end block Oneach side of central floor blocks 10 and lining blocks 12 I of the extension is suitable refractory between them and the side provide blocks 16 of suitable refractory material for the purpose of more thoroughly insulating the glass hatlrA since these blocks extend above the level of the bath.

Bottom member 8 of the box-like extena circular opening 17 within which a ring 18 of refractory material is supported b means of an annular support late '19 which underlies a portion 20 o'f said ring and is secured to bottom member 8 by means of suitable bolts as illustrated For the purpose of ailining the ilow orifice 21 of ring 18 the greatest diameter of the ring is made less than the diameter of opening 17 and, after alinen-rent, the ring may be securely clamped in position by means of said bolts and support plate 19. The for- Ward end of the extension is rovided with a floor or lining block 22 which rests upon bottom member 8 and overhangs ring 18 and against the lower face of which ring 18 is held in adjusted position by its support plate. The forward end of floor block 22 is curved to conform to the inner curved surface of end block 13.

The bore or opening of ring 18 is tapered or beveled to form an eilicient flow .orifice. with an orifice or opening having tapered walls conforming to the taper of the walls of flow orifice 21.

Cover 15 in line with the flow orifice is provided with an opening 23 through which a plunger 24, having a punty-like nose 25, is adapted to; reciprocate. The longer is mounted above the extension an by means of suitable mechanism arranged to reciprocate in axial alinement with the flow orifice. The greatest diameter of the lower end of the plunger which is tapered to form a punty, and which will hereinafter be referred to as the punty, is su-flioiently less than the diameter of the flow orifice to permit of a reduced flow of molten glass through the annular orifice 26 formed between the punty and the walls of the orifice when the punty is in its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the punty and controlling both the speed and length of the strokes thereof according to the "fluidity of the molten glass and the results desired. Such operating means for example may consist ofa power cylinder as shown in my Patent No. 1,121,- 608 of December 22, 1914, for operating the punty, or if desired the punty may be linked up to suitable levers so as to he operated by hand.

Suitable glass severing or shearing means 27 are provided to operate in a horizontal plane below the flow orifice and below the punty when in its initial upward movement. These shears if desired may be connected up so as to operate .synchrononsly with the punty or they may be operated manually.

As it is necessary to maintain the glass bath A in the desired state of fluidity, openings or burners 28 are provided for admittin a suitable combustible mixture of air an gas to be burned in the extension above the lass bath. These burners will be regulate 0 so that the bath is maintained in the proper condition for working.

In practicing this invention, the diameter of the flow orifice as well as the diameter and shape of the punt willbe chosen with regard to the size an form of the quotas of glass to be delivered. When the bath has reached a condition where the gravity drop of the glass is approximately twelve feet per minute it is permitted to flow down through the orifice, and the amount, forming each quota, which is permitted to depend therefrom is controlled by the movements of the putty. The flow is not entirely stopped with the punty at the limit of its downward movement. in the initial upward movement of the punty the glass flowing through the orifice, reduced in areaby the punty which is centrally located therein is drawn up with the punty by reason of the adhesion there- 4 to; this upward movement momentarily stops the downward flow through the orifice.-

Fhe flow of glass through the orifice starts as soon as the nose of. the punty in moving upward is elevated above the lower face of the flow orifice and the flow continues until the punty begins its next upward movement,

after havin been lowered into the flow ori- I lice.

Approximately the required qnantity of glass to form a quota is delivered through the orifice by the time the punt reaches the last stage of its downward stro e (as shown 7 punty assumes the function of suspending in Fig. 2) in which position the nose of the punty projects below the lower face of the orifice.

As the punty is of less diameter than the orifice the flow of glass is not completely stopped at this position but is sufficiently retarded to cause he diameter of the depending quota to decrease due to stretch, and since the layer of glass which surrounds the punty (between its nose and the lower face of the flow orifice) congeals or has its vis cosity increased by ex osure to the air the adhesion between the g ass and the punty is increased so that the quota of glass 1s transferred to the punty; in other words the the quota.

As soon as the transfer to the punt takes place the quota begins to stretch an draw down from the punty. Immediately upon reaching its lowermost position the punty starts upon its return or upward stroke and the upward movement in conjunction with the downward draw or movement of the quota due to ravity, accelerates the stretch of the quota t us forming a contracted neck at its upper end. The instant this neck or 1 contraction is formed the shears are operated to sever the neck whereupon the quota of glass of predetermined quantity drops into the mold, container or conveyor arranged below the shearing device; The shears are arranged so as to cut the glass below the oint of the punty nose leaving a layer or )it of glass (as shown in Fig. 3) remaining on the punty.

Since the punty is moving upward when th shears operate to sever the neck, it will be ap arent that the shears do not support or uphold the glass bit during the shearing operation.

After the neck has been severed and during the continuing upward movement of the punty the glass bit is reheated by contact sorbed or incorporated into the mass 0 with the molten glass in the flow orifice and is gradually drawn and stretched from the nose of the punty until it is completel melted and incorporated in the mass 0 glass. This is graphically illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive. Fig. 4 shows the glass bit in the act of being gradually drawn from the punty nose at the point in the u ward movement of the punty where the g ass is beglnning to flow through the orifice in the formation of the next quota. Figs. 5 and 6 show the plunger in still higher positions with the glass bit entirely separated from the punty nose and being graduallfy abglass flowing through the orifice while in Fig. 1, which shows the punty approximately at the limit of its upward movement, the glass bit is entirely absorbed.

The punty in its downward movement through the bath of glass is not intended to assist the flow of glass through the orifice, and, since the punty is of less diameter than the orifice any tendency toward acceleration is minimized. The downward speed of the punty will preferabl not exceed the speed or gravity drop of t e molten glass. The punty serves as a timer forcontrolling the amount flowing through the orifice for each quota and also as a means for suspending the quota during the shearing operation. The shearing operation'may be timed to occur when that portion of the contracted neck immediately below the punty is substantially at rest brought about by the initial upward movement of the punty and the simultaneous downward stretch of the quota due to gravity.

In order to orm quotas of glass of longer length and of .sma ler diameter than the normal mass depending from the flow orifice, the speed of the punty as well as the depth to which it penetrates the depending mass is regulated. By increasing the speed beyond the normal gravity movement of the mass of glass flowing through the orifice at'the inception of and dui'ng the puntys penetration therein, the downward movement of the quote is accelerated thereby cans in an elongation of the depending mass be ore it is severed.

The functions of the puntys downward movements are threefold, first, the retarding of the flow through the orifice; second, the

penetration of the mass so as to form a sheath or envelope of molten glass 29, around the nose of the punty, this congeals and in so doing the adhesion between the glass and the nose of the punty is increased and the function of Sn porting the quota below the punty is there y transferred from the flow orifice to the punty; third, the control of the elongation and diameter of the quota. The functions of the puntys upward movements are likewise threefold, first, the formation ofthe contracted neck for eflicient severance; second, the momentary stopping of the flow of glass throu h the orifice; and, third, the elevation of t e glass bit adhering to the punty into the molten glass for incorporation therein.

The speed of movement of the punty after severance of the quota is controlled according to the fluidity of the bath and will be such as to assure removal of the glass bit from the punt-y nose and incorporation thereof in the succeeding quota to prevent the formation of blisters, streaks or other defects in the quotas.

The size of the quotas is determined by varying the perio between the puntys cycles, dependent upon the mobility or fluidity of the molten glass,.and also by varying the size of the flow orifice. The nose of'the punty can be varied in length and form to suit various conditions and requirements, for

. I claim is-- punty uponthe instance, a short nosed punty will cause the glass batch to form a sudden contraction and short neck at the severing point while a longer nosed. punty will cause the glass batch to form a more gradual contraction or longer neck.

The gas for supplying burners 28 may be derived from any suitable source such as a producer or from a source of natural gas supply, and the deliverance of the quotas may be timed so as to synchronize with any of the well known types of semi-automatic machines used for pressing and blowing lass articles and thus the entire operation rom the formation of the quota to the delivery ofthe finished article may be made automatic.

The effective portion of the punty is maintained at approximately the same temperature. as the bath of glass and therefore as it does not cool and therefore congeal the glass immediately surrounding it, the size of the remaining bit 1s reduced to a minimum.

It will .be understood that the relative diameters of the puntg; and the flow orifice may be varied so as to intensify or minimize the effects produced by the functions of the depending-body of glass.

It will also be understood that severance of the depending body of glass may, if desired, take place prior to the formation of the contracted neck.

Having thus described my i-n-vei-ition what 1. The method of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass, which consists in ermittin-g a body of glass to flow from sai mass, in retarding said flow by the downward movement of a punty into said flowing body, in attaching said body at itsupper end to said punty and supporting it thereon, in interrupting the flow from the mass of molten glass by the upward movement of said punty and then in severing said body and permitting it to drop by grav- 2. The method of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity from said mass, in inserting a punty into said flowing body from above in such manner that said body is transferred to said punty, in supporting said body from said punty until a top contracted neck is formed thereto and then in severing said neck and permitting the body to drop by gravity.

3. The method of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass contained in a receptacle having a bottom flow orifice, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity through said orifice, in moving a punty through said orifice and into said flowing body whereby at the downward position of the punty the flow of glass is retarded and the said body transferred to said punty, in supporting said body from said punty until it stretches and forms a top contracted neck, in raising said punty within said orifice and then while moving in severing said neck and permitting the body to drop by gravity. I

4. The method of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass contained within a receptacle having a bottom flow orifice, which consists in permitting a body of glass to fiow by gravity through said orifice, in inserting a punty through said orifice into said body of glass whereby the flow through said orifice is retarded and the body of glass depending from said orifice is transferred to and supported by said punty, in allowing said body to stretch to reduce its diameter and to form a top contracted neck thereto, in interrupting the flow through said orifice by upward movement of said punty and then in severing said neck'duringsaid upward movement and permitting said body to drop by grav- 5. The method of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity from said mass, in inserting a punty into said flowing body from above in such manner that the function of supporting said body is assumed by said punty, in allowing said body to stretch un til a contracted neck is formed at the upper end thereof, in severing the body from sai punty at said neck.

6. The method of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity from saidmass, in inserting a punty into said flowing body from above in such manner that the function of supporting said body is assumed by, said punty, in allowing said body to stretch ung is formed at the upper end thereof, in raising said punty and then simultaneously therewith in severing said body and permitting it to drop by gravity.

7. The method of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass, which consists permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity from said mass, in moving a punty into the upper end of said body thereby retarding the flow from said mass, in interrupting the flow from said mass by the movement of said punty, in severing said body at its upper end and simultaneously therewith lifting the glass supported by said punty from the severing means.

8. The method of serving redetermined quotas of glass from a mass 0 molten glass, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity from said mass, in intil a contracted neck transferred to said punty, in supporting said body from said punty until a top contra ted neck is formed thereto and then in severing said neck and delivering said body.

9. The method'of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass contained in a receptacle having a bottom flow orifice, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity through said orifi'ce, in moving a punty through said orifice and into said flowing body whereby the fiow thereof is retarded and the support of said body transferred to said punty, in

supporting said body from said punty un-' til it stretches and forms a top contracted neck, in raising said punty within said orifice and then while moving in severing said neck and delivering said body.

10. The method of feeding quotas of glass from the bottom orifice of a receptacle con: taining a bath of molten glass, which consists in permittin a body of glass to flow through said orifice, in retarding the flow through said orifice. when the required amount is depending therefrom by the movement of a punty thrust into the up er end of the depending mass, in raising sai punty and with it the depending mass and then in severing said mass from said purity and delivering said mass.

11. The'method of serving 'redetermined quotas of glass from a mass 0 molten glass, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity from said mass in inserting a punty into said flowing body from above in such manner that said body is transferred to said punty forming elongated quotas of said body of glass, in supporting said body from said punty until a top contracted neck is formed thereto and then in severing said neck and permitting the body to drop by gravity.

12. The method of serving predetermined quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass contained in a receptacle having a bottom flow orifice, which consists inpermitting a -body of glass to flow by gravity through saidorifice, in moving a punty through sald orifice in such a manner that the flow there through is retarded and the gravity movement of the depending mass transferred thereto is accelerated forming an elong ated quota of said depending mass, 1n raising said punty within said orlfice and then while moving in severing said mass below the punty and permitting the mass to drop by gravity. 7

13. The method of serving predetermmed quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity from said mass, in retarding said flow by the movement of a punty, in attaching said body to said punty in such manner that the gravity drop of said body is thereby accelerated, in elongating said body; in i'nterruptin the flow from the niass-ofmolten glass y the movement of said punty and then severing and deliver ing said body.

14. The method of serving predetermined '70 quotas of glass from a mass of molten glass,

which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow by gravity from said mass, in i:: serting a punty into said flowing body from above in sucha manner that the downward movement of said body is hastened thereby and transferred thereto, in supporting and then severing said body and allowing said body to drop.

15. The method of feeding quotas of glass from the bottom orifice of ac-ontainer supplied with a bath of molten glass, which,

consists in permitting a body of glass to flow from said orifice, in transferring said body to a punty by said puntys downward movement, in severing said body during the upward movement of said punty and thereby retarding the flow from said orifice.

16. The method of feeding quotas of glass from the bottom orifice of a receptacle containing a bath of molten glass, which consists in permittin a. body of glass to flowthrough said orifice, in transferring said body to a punty and simultaneously retarding the flow from the mass by the downward plied with molten glass, which-consists in permitting a body of glass to flow and depend from said orifice, -in insertin a punty from above into the upperend 0% said depending body of glass, in interrupting the flow of glass from said orifice by the upward movement of said punty and severing said body of glass during the initial upward movement of said punty.

x 18. The method of serving quotas of glass from the bottom orifice of a receptacle sup plied with moltenglass, which consists in permitting a body of glass to flow and depend from said orifice, 1n plun 'ing the point of a unty from above into time upper end of said depending body of glass, in revers ing the movementv of said punty, in severing said body of depending glass and elevatmg above severing means the upper remaining portion of depending body of glass si multaneousl with the initial reverse movement of said punty.

19. The method of serving quotas of glass from the bottom of a receptacle supplied with molten glass, which consists in permitting a body of-glass to 'fiow and depend punty descending ment of said purity from said orifice, in moving a punty from above through said orifice into the upper end of said depending body of glass, in moving said punty up and simultaneously therewith in interrupting the flow from said orifice and lifting the upper portion of depending body oi glass remaining after severance up from severing means. I

20. The method of serving quotas of glass from the bottom orifice of a receptacle supplied with molten glass, which consists in permitting a body glass to fiow'and depend from said orifice, in penetrating the upper end of said depending body of glass by a from above through said orificeiin momentarily reversing the flow of glass from said orifice by the upward moveand simultaneously therewith in severing the b0dy .of dependin glass below the point of said 'punty and lifting the remaining portion of glass up from severing means.

- '21. Apparatus for feeding molten glass,

comprising a refractory container having an opening in its floor, a casing enclosing the side and the bottom of the container and having a corresponding opening, a block in the container opening having a tapered orifice larger on the inside, a ring below the block forming a continuation of the orifice, means for securing the ring to the casing in register with the block, and a' reci rocable plunger having a tapered end movab e within the orifice. I

22. Apparatus for feeding molten glass, having in combination a receptacle having an opening in its floor, a block having an orifice of downwardly decreasing diameter in said opening, a refractory ring having a similar orifice secured below the block, and a reciprocating plunger movable in the outlet formed by the two parts.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st day of November, 1918.

. ORVILLE A, BRIDGES. 

